Lt-Colonel Alfred Richardson, divisional commander for Newfoundland and Labrador, welcomed over 500 officers to officers' councils and emphasized that the purpose of all of the weekend's activities was to reaffirm God's mission for us. Commissioner William Francis, territorial commander, introduced General Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton and reminded the officers of their unity in Christ and especially in being a people bonded together in a common covenant.
General Clifton spoke of his pride in becoming an honorary Newfoundlander by "kissing a cod" 25 years previously when he and his wife led a corps retreat for St. John's Temple at Camp Starrigan. "My wife didn't kiss the cod, but she has kissed the man who kissed the cod!" said General Clifton.
Commissioner Helen Clifton, World President of Women's Ministries, thanked God for the stand taken by Catherine Booth, the Army mother, 150 years ago when she told William Booth in a service on Pentecost Sunday in Gateshead, England, that she felt compelled by the Holy Spirit "to say a few words," thus freeing women in The Salvation Army to publicly proclaim the gospel. Commissioner Clifton said she hoped that women Salvationists would, like Catherine Booth, always listen to God's Spirit and then obediently proclaim his revealed truth.
During the taking up of the offering for missionaries, Colonel Robert Ward, territorial commander of Pakistan, showed a video reflecting the culture and some of the Army's varied ministries in this primarily Muslim country. Pakistan is only 2 percent Christian, but it is one of the largest Salvation Army territories in the World with 55,000 soldiers.
In his exposition of 2 Timothy 4, General Clifton stressed that when we run out of resources, whether financial, emotional or spiritual, "God is always faithful to meet our needs" (v. 17). He exhorted officers and cadets to be professional, that is, to perform at their best even when they don't feel like it (v. 2). "Officers should be prepared to endure hardship (v. 5), to expect wounding on the front lines," said General Clifton, but to nevertheless constantly "marvel at God's living in our bodies, being his holy vesels who are salt and light in the world."
"It is not easy being an Army officer," concluded General Clifton, "but if I could start over, I would do it better, especially in attending to my soul." Responding to the General's message, many officers prayed at the Mercy Seat to be strengthened again for ministry through the power of the Holy Spirit.
-
- General Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton
General Clifton spoke of his pride in becoming an honorary Newfoundlander by "kissing a cod" 25 years previously when he and his wife led a corps retreat for St. John's Temple at Camp Starrigan. "My wife didn't kiss the cod, but she has kissed the man who kissed the cod!" said General Clifton.
Commissioner Helen Clifton, World President of Women's Ministries, thanked God for the stand taken by Catherine Booth, the Army mother, 150 years ago when she told William Booth in a service on Pentecost Sunday in Gateshead, England, that she felt compelled by the Holy Spirit "to say a few words," thus freeing women in The Salvation Army to publicly proclaim the gospel. Commissioner Clifton said she hoped that women Salvationists would, like Catherine Booth, always listen to God's Spirit and then obediently proclaim his revealed truth.
During the taking up of the offering for missionaries, Colonel Robert Ward, territorial commander of Pakistan, showed a video reflecting the culture and some of the Army's varied ministries in this primarily Muslim country. Pakistan is only 2 percent Christian, but it is one of the largest Salvation Army territories in the World with 55,000 soldiers.
In his exposition of 2 Timothy 4, General Clifton stressed that when we run out of resources, whether financial, emotional or spiritual, "God is always faithful to meet our needs" (v. 17). He exhorted officers and cadets to be professional, that is, to perform at their best even when they don't feel like it (v. 2). "Officers should be prepared to endure hardship (v. 5), to expect wounding on the front lines," said General Clifton, but to nevertheless constantly "marvel at God's living in our bodies, being his holy vesels who are salt and light in the world."
"It is not easy being an Army officer," concluded General Clifton, "but if I could start over, I would do it better, especially in attending to my soul." Responding to the General's message, many officers prayed at the Mercy Seat to be strengthened again for ministry through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Leave a Comment